Richard Keys toasts England from Isle of Wight

Richard Keys is spending the World Cup away from the broadcast spotlight after returning to the UK with his wife, Lucie Rose, sharing rare photos on the Isle of Wight and a simple pre-match message ahead of England’s round of 16 clash with Mexico.

Richard Keys didn’t need a studio light to make his presence felt during this World Cup.

On Monday morning. as England prepared for their superb round of 16 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. the former Sky Sports presenter posted a rare glimpse of how he’s spending his time away from football broadcasting. He and his wife. Lucie Rose. 37. were relaxing in the Isle of Wight sun. with the former 69-year-old appearing content as he held a glass of white wine in the first photograph shared on Instagram.

Keys and Rose’s break included a meal by the sea at The Hut, Colwell Bay. In another image from the couple’s outing. Keys sat with a relaxed smile beside Lucie. the couple clearly enjoying the quieter life that has followed his exit from televised football after decades at the top of the sport’s coverage.

His social media message was just as understated as his photos. Posting from the island ahead of England’s crucial game, Keys wrote: “Pre-match in the Isle of Wight.. good luck guys.”

The shift from World Cup work to summer retirement was set in motion earlier this year. In May. Keys announced he would be leaving his role with beIN Sports in Qatar at the end of the previous season. calling it the end of his 34-year career covering the Premier League. Keys had led World Cup coverage for the Qatari network in 2022. and he spent 13 years in Qatar alongside his long-term broadcasting partner and close friend Andy Gray.

That period was followed by a jolt: Keys and Gray lost their jobs at Sky Sports in 2011 after sexist and derogatory remarks they made about a female assistant referee.

Now, Keys’ focus is on family life and moving permanently back to the UK with Lucie Rose, with whom he has been in a long-distance relationship since they secretly married in a private £20,000 ceremony in Devon in June 2023.

Before England’s round of 16 match, Keys also indicated the distance he felt from the tournament itself. On the eve of the first World Cup match last month. he wrote on X to everyone at beINSPORTS_EN: “Have a wonderful WC guys.” He added: “You don’t need me anymore. You’ve been the best for a long time now. Make it count. Make it memorable.”.

His return to the UK brings a quieter contrast to a career that has been shaped as much by controversy as by presenting. Keys courted public attention after splitting with his ex-wife Julia following 36 years of marriage. when news of his relationship with Lucie Rose emerged in 2016. Rose was a friend of his daughter Jemma.

Julia later revealed how the affair “devastated” her as she recovered from thyroid cancer and also wrecked the lives of their two children. Julia said the affair ruined the career of her Hollyoaks actress daughter as she spiralled into alcoholism and depression.

Jemma, meanwhile, faced legal action over a string of abusive texts she sent to Lucie Rose, before charges were dropped by prosecutors.

For now, Keys’ World Cup role is a different one—at least from the outside—staying with his wife on the Isle of Wight and sending a message of support to England as they navigated their biggest test at the Azteca Stadium.

Richard Keys Lucie Rose England vs Mexico World Cup Isle of Wight beIN Sports Sky Sports Andy Gray Azteca Stadium